SHC admits writ against VIP culture, issue notices

KARACHI, Feb 04 (INP): The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued a notice to the respondents, including Federation, while admitting a constitutional petition of Ansar Burney Trust International against VIP (very important person) culture.

The bench Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Anwar Hussain heard the petition filed by the Trust through its Director Shagufta Burney Advocate and Manager Mohammed Danish Ali against the VIP culture, VIP protocol, closer of roads and public places, and the problems faced by the general public.

Former Federal Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney in the petition pleaded that due to VVIP movements roads were blocked, because of which common people had to undergo a great deal of mental torture and anguish.

He said that the Trust was not against the security provided to officials facing life threats but it wanted to remedy the ‘lethal effects’ of VIP culture, which was over-defensive in approach and obstructive in nature as the VIPs moved around the masses with highly equipped bullet and bomb proof convoy escorted by heavy security of armed constables and commandos at the cost of public convenience.

The petition said unnecessary road blockades were unlawful as traffic was made to remain stagnant holding the people “hostages” to ensure a smooth drive for a VIP or VVIP (very important person).

It added fuel ran out in some (waiting) cars, resultantly an ambulance carrying a suffering patient got held up, and of course, a number of people could not keep their appointments.

Similarly, the doors of the hospitals were closed to the public, be it a matter of an emergency, whereby emergency patients being rushed to hospital were held up in a monstrous traffic snarl as a result of the closure of some roads to allow for VIP movement or due to visit of any VIP or VVIP the ambulances were not allowed to enter the hospital premises, resultantly people actually died either on the gate of the hospitals to wait for end of VIP or VVIP’s visitor expired on their way to hospital, the petition said.

Ansar Burney stated in some worst instances, reportedly, woman was forced to give birth children in the vehicles on roads, during such road blockades, which rendered such VIP movement, the mockery and humiliation for the entire humanity at large and violated the human rights and human dignity.

Due to blockade of main roads, people missed their flights and children got stuck in heavy traffic after school which was a useless activity for the future generation, he added.

Impleading the President, Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, Sindh Governor and Chief Minister as respondents, the petitioner prayed the SHC to direct that roads and routes should not be blocked due to VIP movements.